Los Angeles — Academy Award winner Michael Douglas has credited former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Riley for the trademark slicked-back hairstyle of Gordon Gekko, the role that earned Douglas an Oscar in the 1987 film “Wall Street.”
Douglas revealed the connection on February 22, 2026, while speaking at Riley’s statue unveiling outside Crypto.com Arena. Addressing the crowd and ESPN Los Angeles, the actor said, “Gordon Gekko’s hairdo came from Pat Riley,” noting that Riley’s courtside appearance during the 1980s left a lasting impression.
Riley’s immaculate Armani suits and carefully groomed hair became part of the visual identity of the Showtime Lakers, a team that, alongside the Boston Celtics, helped drive a surge in NBA popularity throughout the decade. The coach guided Los Angeles to four championships during that era.
By the mid-1980s, Douglas was already an established star with multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations. For what would become one of his most celebrated performances, he turned to Riley’s look to shape the persona of the ruthless financier Gekko.
The anecdote underscored Riley’s cultural reach beyond basketball. Even now, the 81-year-old executive maintains his trademark style and has publicly urged the NBA to return to formal sideline attire, favoring suits over the team-branded shirts and sweats commonly worn by modern coaches.
Source: Lakers Nation
